As early voting starts Monday in the Miami-Dade and Broward slot machine referendum, pro-slots
workers will stand sentinel near the polls, buses will ferry teachers union members to vote, and
absentee ballot requests will continue to arrive -- unsolicited -- in mailboxes, courtesy of the pro-slots
campaign.
Meanwhile, slots opponents -- at least for now apparently outfunded and noticeably quiet in
Miami-Dade -- are doing their best to play catch-up as they resist a proposal that would allow
Vegas-style machines in local parimutuels.
''What minimal resources we have, we're probably going to concentrate in Broward,'' said Robin
Rorapaugh, one of the leaders of a loose anti-slots coalition that includes animal rights activists,
religious groups and others.
One part of that alliance, the Christian Coalition, plans this week to start distributing 100,000 ''voter
guides'' on the referendum.
The pamphlets, paid for by the nonprofit group, don't tell people how to vote but contain information
that would likely discourage them from supporting the ballot question.
Both sides have concentrated the bulk of their effort in Broward, where voters will also turn out for a
several municipal elections on March 8. In Miami-Dade, slots stand alone on a special-election ballot.
A HUGE CAMPAIGN
The group backed by the seven local parimutuels, Yes for Better Schools and Jobs, has more than 20
events planned in the lead-up to March 8 and will send emissaries to a host of organizations --
including Rotary Clubs, homeowners associations and political groups.
''There is a little more of a voice of opposition in [Broward],'' said Stacey Brenan, spokeswoman for
Yes for Better Schools and Jobs. ``Our efforts are just as strong in Miami-Dade, but it's more of a
grass-roots effort.''
The group has a two-pronged message: that tax revenues from the slot machines will funnel money to
the state's education fund, and that the expansion of the gambling operations will provide much-needed
employment.
Mailers and TV ads claim the slots can generate 18,000 jobs and up to $111 million toward education --
numbers slots opponents say are grossly inflated and unrealistic.
The pro-slots group has also made an appeal to Hispanic voters a key component of their campaign,
buying advertisement time on Spanish-language television and launching a bilingual mail effort -- an
approach for which the opposition says it has so far lacked the funds.
QUIETER OPPOSITION
While political opposition to the slots question has gained some ground in Broward, leaders in
Miami-Dade have been generally supportive -- or quietly ambivalent -- save for a notable few. None
are actively campaigning so far.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez this week said he was personally opposed to the slots proposal but
supported putting the question to voters.
Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer and County Commissioner Katy Sorenson have voiced their
objections. Sorenson acknowledged the parimutuels seem to have the advantage. ''It's a very clever
campaign,'' she said.
Slots proponents have also lined up key endorsements, notably from the Broward Police Benevolent
Association and both the Miami-Dade and Broward teachers unions.
The state PTA opposes the measure -- but the board members for the Miami-Dade chapter ''voted
unanimously to remain silent,'' said Eileen Segal, president of the county's PTA council.
''It's too controversial,'' said Segal. ``We think it's best for voters to decide for themselves.''
MIXED ALLIANCES
Although anti-slots groups have had relatively better luck in Broward, both the county's mayor and
school board chairwoman said they have had a difficult time holding the coalition together.
''You have people who usually don't have anything to do with each other,'' said Broward Mayor Kristin
Jacobs. ``You have the greyhound people, the Christian Right, Democratic activists . . . Everyone's out
doing their own thing. It's very loose.''
Broward School Board Chairwoman Stephanie Kraft said she was a little disappointed in the efforts to
organize the various factions. She was hoping to get fliers to pass out from Remember the Lottery, an
umbrella group helping to coordinate the anti-slots campaign.
But the group -- led by consultants Rorapaugh, Dan Lewis and Roy Teicher -- didn't have fliers for
her, Kraft said. She was also irritated that the group's website was still under construction.
''The other side is very organized,'' Kraft said.
RESOLUTE PLAYERS
Both Kraft and Jacobs have become nightly headliners at every condo group, political club and civic
organization in the county. They are joined frequently by state Rep. Randy Johnson, who heads the No
Casinos political action committee that opposes expanded gambling in Florida.
And the Christian Coalition will launch its effort this week.
''This is not a done deal,'' Rorapaugh said.
Herald staff writer Beth Reinhard contributed to this report.